Through mergers and acquisitions, Blackstone, Lone Star Funds and GC Essential Asset REIT all acquired significant square footage in the suburbs this quarter. In total these deals impact 22 buildings and more than 5 million square feet. Investors are starting to view the suburbs as a viable return, particularly as asset prices in the CBD continue to grow. Lone Star purchased Columbia’s 11-property portfolio, six of which are in the Chicago suburbs, for $443 million.

1. Chicago
Chart of the week: August 3, 2015
Source: JLL Research, NAIOP
Suburbs becoming competitive for investment
• Through mergers and acquisitions, Blackstone, Lone Star Funds and GC Essential Asset REIT all
acquired significant square footage in the suburbs this quarter. In total these deals impact 22 buildings
and more than 5 million square feet.
• Investors are starting to view the suburbs as a viable return, particularly as asset prices in the CBD
continue to grow. Lone Star purchased Columbia’s 11-property portfolio, six of which are in the
Chicago suburbs, for $443 million.
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
Eastern East/West North Northwest Western East/West
15 percent of the Eastern East-
West Corridor is now under new
ownership